Minn. regulators question benefit of Enbridge pipeline plan

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has decided to review the potential expansion of a pipeline that carries oil from Canada through northern Minnesota.

Enbridge Energy would increase the line's flow to 800,000 barrels a day by adding new pumps along an oil line from Alberta, Canada, to Superior, Wis.

From MPR News' Stephanie Hemphill:

In July, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a smaller expansion. On Wednesday, though, commission members agreed with their staff and the state Commerce Department that further study is needed.

The issue now goes to an administrative law judge. The study could take as much as a year.

The Commerce Department said the application did not provide enough documentation of the need for the expansion, and did not prove it would benefit the people of Minnesota or neighboring states.

Paul Blackburn, attorney for environmental organization MN350, joins The Daily Circuit along with Lorraine Little, senior manager of public affairs for Enbridge.